Betty Maryann Niehaus was born in Killiam Alberta on September 5, 1937 to Leonard and Emma (Vos) Niehaus.  Being the only girl with 5 boys, she was definitely the boss of the house, but they all loved her cooking.

On July 21, 1958, she married the love of her life, Ken Zimmer, and together they raised 5 children.  They lived on a couple of farms before settling on the Niehaus farm, five and a half miles northeast of Heisler.  There, they raised their family on a mixed grain operation, tending to range and feeder cattle, dairy cows, chickens, turkeys and pigs. Her days were filled with milking cows, helping with the other animals and cooking hearty meals for the men, cultivating a massive garden and tending to the most beautiful yard.  We will always remember mom out there picking pails of peas, and the countless hours we all spent shelling and canning them together.  The creative side of her was found in her crocheting, sewing and quilting.  However, above all, her faith and family were most important.  Her love for God and her family was insurmountable.

In her last few years on the farm, she ventured out into the paid working world, at Big Knife Villa where she worked for approximately 10 years as a housekeeper.

Mom and Dad moved into their new home in Daysland in 2004 where they spent many years having family sleepovers (27 of us) for special occasions, with Mom always looking after us as soon as we entered the door until the moment we left.  Her days were still spent baking, gardening, but with a much smaller garden, yardwork, going to the seniors’ centre for floor curling and playing cards.  She loved her bowling twice a week in Heisler with her average being amongst the highest.  Making quilts with her friends and fellow CWL members, for which she was a member for 60 plus years, was always a joy for her.  Mom and Dad moved into Daysland Providence Place in 2022. 

Her love for her grandchildren was always plentiful. She spent many days teaching them her farm way of life.  Those grandchildren spent a lot of their growing up years on that farm and their memories of Grandma will last forever. Nothing ever made her happier than getting a visit or a phone call from them and then in later years the facetimes and video chats with her 9 great grandchildren, seeing most of them in person the last week.  Their joy in seeing her was enough to melt everyone’s hearts.

On July 18, 2026, God wrapped her in his loving arms and took her to be with Dad.  Her love for us all was enduring.  Our memories of her will last until the end of our days, when we will meet again.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Rhonda Shott (Bill Dewar), Richard (Donna) Zimmer, Susan (Ed) McLean, Roseann (Brad) McNabb and Lyle (Annette) Zimmer.  Her 12 grandchildren: Kristy Shott , Amanda (Matt) Austin, Melanie (Ryan) Block, Evan Zimmer, Shane McLean, Derek (Kellee) McLean, Riley McLean, Steven (Kerri) McNabb, Stephanie McNabb (Harrison Church), Adam McNabb, Parker Zimmer and Joely Zimmer.  Her 9 great grandchildren: Bently Shott, Jaxon and Ella Austin, Emily Block, Bryar McLean, Grant and Nathan McNabb, Kade and Dawson Church. Her brothers: Owen (Marilyn) Niehaus, Roger (Dyann) Niehaus. Her brothers-in-law Gordon Zimmer, Garry (Marvis) Zimmer, Robert (Pat) Zimmer, and sisters-in-law: Pat Niehaus, Sharon (Terry) Adams, Theresa (Allan) McTavish, Carol Zimmer and Janet Zimmer. Her godchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Betty was predeceased by her loving husband Ken Zimmer, her parents Leonard and Emma Niehaus, her parents-in-law George and Trace Zimmer, son-in-law Victor Shott, brothers Robert, Clifford and Frank  Niehaus, nephew Jeffrey Niehaus, sisters in-law Eileen Heck, Donna and Nellie Zimmer, brothers in-law Lorne, Jack and Donald Zimmer and Ross Heck.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am, Saturday July 25, 2026 at Our Lady of the Prairies Catholic Church in Daysland, Alberta. Please join the family immediately following the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Memorial donations in Betty's memory can be made to the St. Peter's Historical Society or a Charity of Donor's Choice.